Ki urges Bhoys to look ahead

Ki Sung-yueng has called on Celtic to forget the pain of their Old Firm derby defeat and look forward.

Last Updated: 25/10/10 9:48pm

Midfielder Ki Sung-yueng has called on Celtic to forget the pain of their 3-1 Old Firm derby defeat ahead of Wednesday's clash.

Kenny Miller notched a dramatic second-half brace for Rangers as the visitors came from behind at Parkhead to go three points clear at the top of the SPL standings on Sunday, ending the Hoops' 100 per cent start to the season while extending their own.

However, with a Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final spot at stake at St Johnstone on Wednesday night, 21-year-old Ki has urged his side to put the weekend's events behind them and concentrate on the McDiarmid Park clash.

Disappointed

"I feel very disappointed because we scored the first goal, but gave them three goals in 20 minutes in the second half," Ki told Celtic's official website.

"We suffered because of a lack of concentration and we made mistakes.

"But the game has gone now and we have to concentrate on our next game against St Johnstone."

Much was made in the build up to the encounter of Celtic's inexperience in the feisty local derby, with six players, including Ki, making their debut in the fixture.

The South Korea international is determined to learn from and improve upon his performance in the Old Firm derby, adding: "The new players who have not played in the derby can learn from this experience.

"Then, when we play in the next game, we will be more helpful to the older and more experienced players who played yesterday."

Former FC Seoul man Ki is continuing to work hard in an effort to show his worth to the team.

"I just want to be helpful to the team and try to improve myself as a player," he said.

"I just try to follow instructions and adapt to Scottish football and that means that I have to get stronger physically, mentally and technically and I have also tried to move the ball faster - these are things I have tried to improve.

Improving

"In training I try to tackle more and defensively I try to work hard.

"In the gym I am working to get fitter and stronger, while working on my technical skills.

"If I keep improving and if I keep playing maybe I can show more of these qualities."